Intel Core i5-6500TE vs Intel Core i7-3820 Comparison

The Intel Core i7-3820 and Intel Core i5-6500TE are both 4-core desktop processors, but they serve fundamentally different purposes. Across the recorded Cinebench tests, the i7-3820 wins every single benchmark, with margins ranging from 15% to 15.9%. The i5-6500TE, however, counters with a dramatically lower power envelope, a newer architecture, and integrated graphics, making it a more balanced choice for compact or energy-conscious systems. For pure compute throughput, the older i7-3820 is the clear winner, but the i5-6500TE offers features the i7 lacks entirely.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i7-3820 wins in every compute benchmark recorded in the database. It surpasses the i5-6500TE by 15.9% in Cinebench R15 multi-core (496 vs 428), by 15.7% in R20 multi-core (2067 vs 1787), and by 15.7% in R23 multi-core (4923 vs 4255). Single-core results follow the same pattern, with the i7 leading by 15% in R15 single-core (69 vs 60), 15.5% in R20 single-core (291 vs 252), and 15.8% in R23 single-core (695 vs 600). The database records 6 wins for the i7-3820 and 0 wins for the i5-6500TE in head-to-head testing.

The i5-6500TE wins where raw performance is not the only metric. Its 35 TDP versus the i7-3820's 130 TDP means it consumes far less power, a critical advantage for small form factor builds or systems running continuously. It also includes integrated graphics (HD Graphics 530), whereas the i7-3820 has none, so the i5 can operate without a discrete GPU. The i5 uses a newer 14 nm process node versus the i7's 32 nm, and it supports both DDR3 and DDR4 memory, while the i7 is limited to DDR3. For workloads that prioritize efficiency, low heat output, or minimal system footprint, the i5-6500TE holds the advantage.

Architecture Differences

The two processors come from different Intel design eras. The i7-3820 is based on Sandy Bridge-E, built on a 32 nm process with 1,270 million transistors and a die size of 294 mm². The i5-6500TE is a Skylake part, built on a 14 nm process with a die size of 122 mm². This process shrink gives the i5 a significant efficiency advantage, allowing it to achieve a 35 TDP while still offering competitive clock speeds.

Core and thread counts differ substantially. The i7-3820 has 4 cores and 8 threads, while the i5-6500TE has 4 cores and 4 threads. This hyper-threading advantage explains the i7's consistent multi-core lead. Cache configurations also diverge: the i7 has 10 MB of shared L3 cache, while the i5 has 6 MB. Both have 64 KB of L1 cache per core and 256 KB of L2 cache per core.

Memory support is another differentiator. The i7-3820 uses a quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s of bandwidth, limited to DDR3. The i5-6500TE uses a dual-channel bus with 34.1 GB/s of bandwidth, but it supports both DDR3 and DDR4. The i7's wider memory bus gives it more theoretical bandwidth, though the i5's support for newer DDR4 modules offers platform flexibility.

PCIe connectivity also differs. The i7-3820 provides PCIe Gen 2 with 40 lanes (CPU only), while the i5-6500TE provides PCIe Gen 3 with 16 lanes. The i7's lane count is higher, but the i5's Gen 3 standard offers newer signaling. The i5 includes HD Graphics 530, which the i7 lacks entirely. The i7 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5 is locked, meaning the i7 is more overclocking-friendly. Both have ECC memory disabled.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The Cinebench R15 multi-core test shows the i7-3820 scoring 496 against the i5-6500TE's 428, a 15.9% difference. This is the largest margin in the recorded tests. The i7's extra threads (8 vs 4) directly translate into higher multi-threaded throughput, which is expected given the architectural differences.

In Cinebench R15 single-core, the i7 scores 69 versus the i5's 60, a 15% lead. This is notable because the i5 has a newer architecture and a higher boost clock relative to its base (3.30 GHz boost versus 2.30 GHz base), but the i7's 3.80 GHz boost clock still wins out. The i7's older design does not hold it back in single-threaded performance.

Cinebench R20 multi-core results show the i7 at 2067 and the i5 at 1787, a 15.7% gap. The R20 single-core test shows 291 for the i7 and 252 for the i5, a 15.5% difference. Cinebench R23 multi-core continues the trend: 4923 for the i7 versus 4255 for the i5, again a 15.7% gap. The R23 single-core test shows 695 for the i7 and 600 for the i5, a 15.8% difference.

Across all six head-to-head tests, the i7-3820's advantage is remarkably consistent, hovering between 15% and 15.9%. This uniformity suggests that the performance gap is structural, stemming from the i7's higher clock speeds and hyper-threading, rather than workload-specific quirks. The database also shows the i5-6500TE with additional Geekbench scores (2749 multi-core, 1062 single-core), but no comparable i7 scores exist in the record, so those cannot be directly compared here.

FAQ

Q: Which processor is faster in multi-core workloads?

A: The Intel Core i7-3820 wins all multi-core tests. It scores 496 vs 428 in Cinebench R15, 2067 vs 1787 in R20, and 4923 vs 4255 in R23, giving it a 15.7% to 15.9% lead across these benchmarks.

Q: Does the newer i5-6500TE offer any performance advantage?

A: No, the i5-6500TE loses every recorded Cinebench test. Its best single-core result is 600 in R23, while the i7 scores 695. The i5's advantage lies in power consumption and features, not raw compute speed.

Q: What is the difference in power consumption?

A: The i7-3820 has a TDP of 130, while the i5-6500TE has a TDP of 35. This means the i5 is designed for much lower heat output and energy use, making it more suitable for compact or fanless systems.

Q: Can either processor use DDR4 memory?

A: Only the i5-6500TE supports DDR4, along with DDR3. The i7-3820 is limited to DDR3. However, the i7 uses a quad-channel memory bus with 51.2 GB/s bandwidth, versus the i5's dual-channel 34.1 GB/s.

Q: Do both processors have integrated graphics?

A: No. The i5-6500TE includes HD Graphics 530, while the i7-3820 has no integrated graphics. A discrete GPU is mandatory for the i7.

Q: Which processor is more overclocking-friendly?

A: The i7-3820 has an unlocked multiplier, while the i5-6500TE is locked. This makes the i7 the only one of the two that can be freely overclocked.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i7-3820 | Intel Core i5-6500TE |

|---|---|---|

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 3.60 GHz | 2.30 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.80 GHz | 3.30 GHz |

| TDP | 130 | 35 |

| Socket | Intel Socket 2011 | Intel Socket 1151 |

| Architecture | Sandy Bridge-E | Skylake |

| Process Node | 32 nm | 14 nm |

| Transistors | 1,270 million | Not recorded |

| Die Size | 294 mm² | 122 mm² |

| L3 Cache | 10 MB (shared) | 6 MB (shared) |

| Memory Support | DDR3 | DDR3, DDR4 |

| Memory Bus | Quad-channel | Dual-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 34.1 GB/s |

| PCIe | Gen 2, 40 Lanes | Gen 3, 16 Lanes |

| Integrated Graphics | None | HD Graphics 530 |

| Multiplier | Unlocked | Locked |

| Launch MSRP | $305 | $192 |

| Release Date | 2012-02-12 | 2015-10-10 |

| Part Number | SR0LD | SR2LR |

The Verdict

The data is unambiguous: the Intel Core i7-3820 is the stronger processor for compute-heavy tasks. It wins every Cinebench test by roughly 15% to 16%, thanks to its higher clock speeds (3.80 GHz boost vs 3.30 GHz) and hyper-threading (8 threads vs 4). The i7's quad-channel memory bus and 10 MB of L3 cache further cement its position for multi-threaded rendering or encoding workloads. Users building a workstation around Socket 2011 and willing to supply a discrete GPU and a robust cooling solution will get measurably higher performance.

The Intel Core i5-6500TE, however, is the better choice for a different set of priorities. Its 35 TDP is a fraction of the i7's 130 TDP, making it ideal for low-power or always-on systems. The integrated HD Graphics 530 eliminates the need for a separate GPU, and support for both DDR3 and DDR4 offers memory flexibility. Its 14 nm process gives it a modern efficiency profile, and the PCIe Gen 3 interface is newer than the i7's Gen 2. For users who value low heat, small size, and energy savings over maximum benchmark scores, the i5-6500TE is the logical pick.

There is no scenario where the two processors overlap cleanly. The i7-3820 is for raw performance, the i5-6500TE is for efficiency. The database records 6 wins for the i7 and 0 for the i5, but that metric alone does not capture the i5's advantages in power draw and platform features. Choose the i7 for speed, choose the i5 for efficiency.